About SSG/R

What is SSR?

Security Sector Reform (SSR) is the political and technical process of improving state and human security by making security provision, management and oversight more effective and more accountable, within a framework of democratic civilian control, rule of law and respect for human rights. The goal of SSR is to apply the principles of good governance to the security sector.

SSR concerns all state and non-state actors involved in security provision, management and oversight, and emphasizes the links between their roles, responsibilities and actions. SSR also involves aspects of justice provision, management and oversight, because security and justice are closely related.

SSR can include a wide range of different reform activities covering all political and technical aspects of security, including, among others, legislative initiatives; policy making; awareness-raising and public information campaigns; management and administrative capacity building; infrastructure development; and improved training and equipment.

What is SSG?

Security Sector Governance (SSG) refers to the process by which accountable security institutions supply security as a public good via established transparent policies and practices.

Accountability of security institutions is affected by democratic oversight performed by a range of stakeholders including democratic institutions, government, civil society and the media.

Security sector reform is the process by which security institutions are subordinated to oversight mechanisms, vetting and lustration in order to deliver transparent and accountable public services as a public good. Security sector governance reinforces the rule of law.

SSR HISTORY

The ‘OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security’ was adopted in 1994. It is a politically binding instrument that calls for the democratic control not only of the military, but also other security forces including paramilitary, police and intelligence services. The Code considers democratic control of the security sector to be an essential element for stability and security.

The concepts of good governance and human rights are mutually reinforcing. Human rights principles not only provide a set of values to guide the work of governments and other political and social actors, but also a set of performance standards against which these actors can be held accountable. Moreover, human rights principles inform the content of good governance efforts in the development of legislative frameworks, policies, programmes, budgetary allocations and other measures.

The blueprint for gender and peacekeeping work for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is rooted in Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), the first Resolution to address the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women. The resolution stresses the importance of women’s equal and full participation as active agents in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peacebuilding and peacekeeping.

Democratic governance of the security sector and human development are crucial to securing peace and public accountability: human development will be held back in any country where the military, police and other security-related institutions hold sway over democratic institutions, are not democratically accountable for much of their power, or are fragmented and anarchic.

The OECD reference papers outline that a democratic and accountable security system helps prevent the outbreak and recurrence of violent conflict and provide the basis of stability for economic and social development. This marks a major shift in donor attention as donors acknowledge the importance of these issues for governance and hence for creating the right conditions for poverty reduction.

2006

2006 A Concept for European Community Support for Security Sector Reform
The concept sets out principles and norms for the Community’s engagement in SSR, based on support in different countries and settings, relevant policy frameworks, outlining the rationale for SSR as an important part of Community support and ensuring more coordinated and strategic approaches to Community activities falling under the different policy instruments: recognition that SSR is a cross-cutting issue.

The Report reflects the growing importance of SSR at the global level and the need for the international community to address it in an efficient, effective, coherent and coordinated manner. The report underlines that security, human rights and development are interdependent and mutually reinforcing conditions for sustainable peace, the fundamental elements of which can only be achieved within a rule of law framework.

2009

2009 UNSG Report ‘Peacebuilding in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict’
The immediate post-conflict period offers a window of opportunity to provide basic security, deliver peace dividends, shore up and build confidence in the political process, strengthen core national capacity to lead peacebuilding efforts and lay the foundations for sustainable development. If countries quickly develop a vision and strategy to address these objectives early on, the chances of sustainable peace increase.

2011 World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security and Development
The Report looks across global disciplines and experiences to offer some ideas and practical recommendations on how to move beyond conflict and fragility and secure development. Key findings include: institutional legitimacy is the key to stability; investing in citizen security, justice, and jobs is essential to reducing violence; confronting these challenges effectively means that institutions need to change.

2013 African Union Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform
In this Framework, the African Union reiterates its recognition of, and commitment to, existing normative frameworks on SSR, particularly those developed by the United Nations and other multilateral actors. The AU policy framework on SSR emanates from the recognition of the continuing gap between existing approaches to SSR and deficits in the delivery and governance of security in many AU Member States.

ISSAT E-learning

DCAF/ISSAT has developed a series of online courses that are available to professionals currently working on, or interested in, Security Sector Reform and/or related topics in the areas of security, defence, police, justice, conflict management, advising, and peace support operations. Currently, there are four ISSAT online courses available: